王

CIVILIZATION DOSSIER

Wang Sili王思礼

TangHistory × Fiction

Military governor of Hedong, sworn brother with Zhang Guangsheng.

Open this figure in the atlas ↗ Read the key relationships and their sources ↓
DIRECT FIGURES
14
RELATION RECORDS
21
SOURCE WORKS
3

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Wang Sili, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

10 figures · 15 records
4 more in the complete record
02
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

5 figures · 5 records
03
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

1 figure · 1 record
Complete relationships and verbatim sources ↓Open in the civilization atlas ↗

12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

In history · Old Book of Tang

Military governor of Hedong, sworn brother with Zhang Guangsheng. Defeated general at Tong Pass, saved by Fang Guan's remonstrance. A Goguryeo man, Tang general, served as military governor in various circuits, enfeoffed as Duke of Huo, posthumously titled Wulie.

In fiction · New Book of Tang · Romance of Sui and Tang

Deputy military commissioner of Heyuan Army, suggested executing Yang Guozhong, but was rejected by Geshu Han. Tang general, led 50,000 troops forward. Commissioner of Heyuan Army, urged Chen Xuanli to kill Yang Guozhong.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. Official history

    Old Book of Tang

    11 profile notes
    12 relations13 verified quotations
    • Emperor Suzong of Tang→ appoint →Wang Sili
    • Wang Sili→ cooperate →Guo Ziyi
    • Guo Ziyi→ colleague →Wang Sili
    • Wang Sili→ requested execution →Yang Guozhong
    Verified original text · 13
    1. 以王思礼为关内节度

      appoint · Old Book of Tang, 肃宗本纪

    2. 又从子仪战陜城、曲沃、新店

      cooperate · Old Book of Tang, 李光弼王思礼邓景山辛云京传

    11 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

    Open work page →

  2. Literature / legend

    Romance of Sui and Tang

    4 profile notes
    1 relations1 verified quotations
    • Geshu Han→ refuse →Wang Sili
    Verified original text · 1
    1. 哥舒翰摇头不应

      refuse · Romance of Sui and Tang, 090

    Open work page →

  3. Official history

    New Book of Tang

    16 profile notes
    14 relations16 verified quotations
    • Wang Sili→ subordinate →Emperor Suzong of Tang
    • Wang Sili→ colleague →Guo Ziyi
    • Wang Sili→ attack →An Lushan
    • Wang Sili→ requested execution →Yang Guozhong
    Verified original text · 16
    1. 肃宗责不坚守，引至纛下将斩之

      subordinate · New Book of Tang, 三王鲁辛冯三李曲二卢传

    2. 与子仪围贼相州

      colleague · New Book of Tang, 三王鲁辛冯三李曲二卢传

    14 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

    Open work page →

History vs. fiction

In the official history, Wang Sili advised Geshu Han at Tong Pass to submit a memorial to the emperor to execute Yang Guozhong and offered to seize him with thirty cavalrymen; the novel faithfully dramatizes this.

  • attestedWang Sili secretly advised Geshu Han to seize and kill Yang Guozhong

    The Old Book of Tang, Biography of Wang Sili, records that during the An Lushan Rebellion, Sili advised Geshu Han at Tong Pass to execute Yang Guozhong, 'and further requested to seize him with thirty cavalrymen, carrying him horizontally to Tong Pass to kill him. Han said, "This would be my rebellion, not related to Lushan's affair."' Chapter 90 of Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties basically follows the historical record, writing that Wang Sili suggested beheading Yang Guozhong, saying, 'I am willing to use thirty cavalrymen to seize Yang Guozhong and bring him to Tong Pass to behead him.' Geshu Han refused for fear of causing a rebellion, which is indeed historical fact.

Relationship network

15 figures · 89 links
Wang SiliWang SiliEmperor Suzong of TangEmperor Suzong of TangGuo ZiyiGuo ZiyiAn LushanAn LushanYang GuozhongYang GuozhongLi GuangbiLi GuangbiShi SimingShi SimingGeshu HanGeshu HanFang GuanFang GuanAn QingxuAn QingxuZhang YanshangZhang YanshangChen ShaoyouWang ZhongsiLi BaoyuJia Dan
historyliteraturedual
Open full atlas →

Sources: New Book of Tang, 三王鲁辛冯三李曲二卢传; Old Book of Tang, 姚令言张光晟源休乔琳张涉蒋镇洪经纶彭偃传; Romance of Sui and Tang, 090; New Book of Tang, 哥舒翰子 曜高仙芝封常清赞传; Old Book of Tang, 崔光远房琯张镐高适畅璀传; Romance of Sui and Tang, 091; New Book of Tang, 回鹘传下; Old Book of Tang, 李光弼王思礼邓景山辛云京传

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.